Chapter One: THE NIGHTMARE
1070 Words
Liana's POV
"FATHER!" I shouted, gasping for air as I'd abruptly awakened. Darting my eyes everywhere, only to witness nothing but a total darkness.
That's when I realized it was all a bad dream. A dream that really did happen a long time ago.
I smiled bitterly. A long time ago, but I felt like it happened only yesterday. The pain is still here. The tears are still threatening; the contempt inside of me is still flaming.
After that incident, the Smith family adopted me. They accepted and loved me as if I were one of their true members. They filled the attention that I needed. They allowed me to train to be a marksman and assassin using my father's rifle. They supported me in every decision I made.
I owe them much. So much that I can't refuse to accept the responsibility they gave—that is, to protect their sole heir, Bailey, who did nothing but mischiefs all his life. However, I love him—really love him like my real brother. That was why when he left and went to the Forgotten Grove, a magical virgin forest, to train his magic skill and our parents asked me to follow him, I obliged wholeheartedly.
I let out a sigh. I've been here for a couple of days. I never show myself to my brother. I saw that he is practicing his magic very well. I don't want my presence to disturb him.
Once more, I sighed.
I stood up from a long log. I couldn't remember how I fell asleep there.
I walked into darkness. I needed to look for Bailey. I saw him earlier under the huge tree. He was aiming to master a card magic trick.
I shook my head and smiled a little. Tsk! That kid.
My forehead knotted when I reached the place. There's no sign of Bailey there. "Where could he be?"
I was about to walk further when I saw something in the bush. I picked it up.
Recognition was etched across my face. It was Bailey's hat! He's in trouble!
I gripped my rifle as my eyes slowly searched in all corners of that forest.
I don't know where's my brother. And I can't help but blame myself. On top of that, I shouldn't have slept. I should have watched over him. I should have--
"Huh?" I stopped murmuring Litany when I heard something in the dark not too far from my direction. Something like a creak of a branch. Someone's walking probably!
My trained eyes roamed all over. I'm sure there's other people somewhere.
"Who's there?" I asked bravely. Preparing my rifle to fire.
Shik!
My eyes widened.
There's a glistening blade darting my way. It's too close and too fast for me to avoid.
"Ehk!" My grip on my rifle loosens. I don't know where it fell. I lost balance, too, so I abruptly stepped backward and leaned into the tree trunk, savoring the coldness of the tree in my back.
The blade luckily didn't hit my right arm. It hit the cloth. But it hitted too deep that my dress pinned in the tree along with my arm.
I'm still absorbing what just happened when another blade comes my way. My heart's hammering with shock. I just close my eyes tightly, wishing it won't hit my heart.
Shok!
I heard it pierce in, but I didn't feel any pain.
I opened my eyes, only to see that the blade hit my cloth again. In my left arm part this time.
I tried to free it from the weapon but I couldn't. I looked like Christ that was nailed in the tree.
I struggled to free myself.
"Don't push your luck, Babe."
I focused my eyes in the direction where the voice came.
I should be alarmed, but I felt uncanny. I wasn't afraid. I liked the sound of his voice. Very masculine.
From the dark, the owner of the man's voice walked closer, where there was light from the moon. I saw first his black shoes, up to his black pants, then his white shirt, broad shoulders, manly neck, and to his--
I gasped.
At my age, I've seen a lot of good-looking men, but this man. . . He is not just handsome. He has character. And there's something in him that I can't explain. Something animalistic.
"W-who are you?" Was he the one who took Bailey? With that, the anger I felt came back. "Where's my brother?"
I struggled again to free myself, but to no use. "Remove these damn blades before I destroy your gorgeous face with my bullets. I swear I could kill you with my bullets."
He just laughed. A sexy laugh, for that matter. "Thank you."
"What!?"
"You just stated a compliment, Baby." He walked closer to me. He held my chin and raised it. "You just said I'm gorgeous."
"Did I?" I exclaimed. I knew I threatened him. So what the hell he was saying?
"You did. Thank you, and I know that very well since all women I've met never fail to mention that."
How conceited!
"You know, you disgust me." I faked a sweet smile. "First and foremost, you are not that really good-looking." Of course that was a lie. He is the most handsome man I've seen. But saying that to him won't do him any good. "You seem ordinary. You don't even affect me," I added.
I saw his forehead knotted, but I just shrugged. "Secondly, I am not your baby nor your baby. And thirdly," I looked down to his hand, which was still in my chin. "Don't you ever touch me!" I emphasized every word for him to understand.
"I don't affect you?" He seriously asked, not minding my other litany.
His smile vanished. He seems bothered with that matter. He got insulted obviously.
I wanted to laugh. "You heard me."
He stared at me for a long moment, as if challenging me. I stared at him back. Not wanting to lose.
"Let's see." One corner of his lips curled in a sheepish smile.
That made me confused.
Before I could guess what’s on his mind, his hand was already on my nape.
My eyes widened with shock. I can clearly see what he wants to do.
I opened my mouth to protest, but he took advantage. He claimed my lips for a deep kiss!
- Writer
